Scottish politicians are being urged to pledge their support for a campaign’s proposals to introduce LGBT education into Scottish schools.

The Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign group have launched an online pledge today, appealing for MSPs and members of the public to support their calls for a new national strategy to tackle homophobic bullying in schools.

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The move comes as recent research from TIE highlighted that 90% of LGBT pupils reported experiencing homophobia in school, with 42% having attempted suicide as a result of being bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Monica Lennon MSP, Scottish Labour inequalities spokeswoman, said: “I’ve been increasingly impressed by the TIE campaign’s drive to improve Scotland’s education system and I have been a supporter of their aims from the outset.

“Recent research by the campaign has shown that two thirds of current and former pupils surveyed indicated that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is a problem in schools, proving that there is a real need for a rollout of inclusive education in classrooms across the country.

“I’ll certainly be signing the pledge and I hope that many more will also agree that the Scottish Government must do more to tackle inequality in schools.”

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TIE have been campaigning for a new strategy to implement LGBT inclusive education for over a year, and have secured cross party political support for their cause, but now the campaigners are insisting that it is “time for action”.

A TIE spokesperson said: “Our aim is to ensure that all schools across the country are safe and supportive environments for LGBT young people, and we have very clear proposals as to how we get there.

“We would urge members of the public and all MSPs who agree with us that it is time to take action against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools to sign our pledge and show that they are committed to addressing the issues facing LGBT learners during this term of parliament.

“We are encouraged by the support that our campaign has generated over the last year, but it is now time for action. The Scottish Government’s current strategy in this area is patchy and ineffective, and this has to be addressed with an open mind if we are to see any meaningful change.”

SNP depute leadership contender Tommy Sheppard MP and Conservative MSP Ross Thomson have also joined the campaigners in calling for action.

Thomson said: “Although Scotland has made great progress in promoting LGBTI+ rights there is still so much more that we need to do. I’m backing the TIE campaign’s efforts to tackle homophobia in our schools. We need to stand up to the bullies and empower our teachers and young people to tackle bullying, harassment and abuse head on. We can't just stand by and hope that homophobia will go away. If we educate we'll liberate."

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Sheppard said: "I'm very pleased to support TIE's campaign for inclusion in all our schools. We've come a long way but there's a long way still to go. Everyone should feel confident in being able to be themselves without fear of being bullied or put down because of their sexuality or gender identity.”

Campaigners from TIE are expected to meet with Education Secretary John Swinney in the coming weeks to discuss their proposals.